(L-R) Film historian and preservationist Kevin Brownlow, producer/director Francis Ford Coppola and actor Eli Wallach are given the Governors Awards during the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California. less

(L-R) Film historian and preservationist Kevin Brownlow, producer/director Francis Ford Coppola and actor Eli Wallach are given the Governors Awards during the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Edward Herrmann, 1943-2014:

The stage and screen actor best known as the patriarch on "The Gilmore Girls" died Dec. 31 in a New York City hospital where he was being treated for brain cancer. He was 71.

Edward Herrmann, 1943-2014:

The stage and screen actor best known as the patriarch on "The Gilmore Girls" died Dec. 31 in a New York City hospital where he was being treated for brain cancer. He was 71.

Photo: Henny Ray Abrams

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Luise Rainer, 1910-2014:

The Austrian film actress, who made Academy Awards history as the first to win consecutive acting Oscars ("The Great Ziegfeld" in 1936 and "The Good Earth" in 1937), died Dec. 30 at age 104.

The voice actress, best known as Chuckie of "Rugrats," the precocious pig in "Babe," and Dexter of "Dexter's Laboratory," died Dec. 22 at age 51.

Christine Cavanaugh, 1963-2014:

The voice actress, best known as Chuckie of "Rugrats," the precocious pig in "Babe," and Dexter of "Dexter's Laboratory," died Dec. 22 at age 51.

Photo: SGranitz, WireImage

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Joe Cocker, 1944-2014:

The legendary voice behind classics like "Feelin' Alright" and a famous cover of "With a Little Help from My Friends" died Dec. 22 at age 70.

Joe Cocker, 1944-2014:

The legendary voice behind classics like "Feelin' Alright" and a famous cover of "With a Little Help from My Friends" died Dec. 22 at age 70.

Photo: Jack Robinson, Getty Images

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Jean Beliveau, 1931-2014:

The former Montreal Canadien, a 10-time Stanley Cup winner, died on Dec. 2 at age 83.

Jean Beliveau, 1931-2014:

The former Montreal Canadien, a 10-time Stanley Cup winner, died on Dec. 2 at age 83.

Photo: AP

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Bobby Keys, 1943-2014:

The Texan and saxophonist who played for decades with the Rolling Stones, died of liver disease on Dec. 2 at age 70.

Bobby Keys, 1943-2014:

The Texan and saxophonist who played for decades with the Rolling Stones, died of liver disease on Dec. 2 at age 70.

Photo: Siana Hristova, The Chronicle

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Marion Barry, 1936-2014:

The sharecropper's son and civil rights pioneer became a flamboyant and polarizing mayor of Washington, before he went to prison on cocaine charges and then recaptured City Hall in one of the most improbable comebacks in the history of American politics. He died on Nov. 23 at age 78.

The legendary director responsible for films like "The Graduate," died on Nov. 19 from a heart attack at home in Manhattan. He was 83.

Mike Nichols, 1931-2014:

The legendary director responsible for films like "The Graduate," died on Nov. 19 from a heart attack at home in Manhattan. He was 83.

Photo: Chris Pizzello, AP

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Jimmy Ruffin, 1936-2014:

The soul singer best known for "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted," died on Nov. 17 at age 78.

Jimmy Ruffin, 1936-2014:

The soul singer best known for "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted," died on Nov. 17 at age 78.

Photo: Michael Putland, Getty Images

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Glen A. Larson, 1937-2014:

The writer and producer behind well-loved TV series such as the original "Battlestar Galactica," ''Knight Rider," ''Magnum, P.I." and "Quincy, M.E.," died on Nov. 14 from complications from esophageal cancer. He was 77.

The popular former mayor of Boston who gained national attention during the hunt for the Boston Marathon bombers died on Oct. 30 from cancer. He was 71.

Thomas Menino, 1942-2014:

The popular former mayor of Boston who gained national attention during the hunt for the Boston Marathon bombers died on Oct. 30 from cancer. He was 71.

Photo: Elise Amendola, STF

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Oscar Taveras, 1992-2014:

The rookie St. Louis Cardinal died in a car crash Oct. 26 along with his girlfriend during the off season in his home country, the Dominican Republic, shortly after the Cardinals were eliminated from Major League Baseball's National League Championship Series. He was 22.

The former publisher of the Washington Post (pictured above with Bob Woodward) was one of the most influential people in the D.C. He died on Oct. 21 at age 93.

Ben Bradlee, 1921-2014:

The former publisher of the Washington Post (pictured above with Bob Woodward) was one of the most influential people in the D.C. He died on Oct. 21 at age 93.

Photo: Ron Galella, File Photo

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Oscar de la Renta, 1932-2014:

The famed clothing designer was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. He died on Oct. 20 at his home in Kent, Connecticut. He was 82.

Oscar de la Renta, 1932-2014:

The famed clothing designer was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. He died on Oct. 20 at his home in Kent, Connecticut. He was 82.

Photo: Diane Bondareff

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Jan Hooks, 1957-2014:

The former "Saturday Night Live" player died on Oct. 9 from cancer. She was 57.

Jan Hooks, 1957-2014:

The former "Saturday Night Live" player died on Oct. 9 from cancer. She was 57.

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Jean-Claude Duvalier, 1951-2014:

Known as "Baby Doc," the self-proclaimed "president for life" of Haiti whose corrupt and brutal regime sparked a popular uprising that sent him into a 25-year exile, died Oct. 4 of a heart attack. He was 63.

The American actor known for his role as steel-toothed Jaws in the James Bond movies "The Spy Who Loved Me" and "Moonraker," died Sept. 10 in Fresno, California. He was 74. He's shown here in 2012 with actress Britt Ekland for the "Bond 50" anniversary in London. He was 74.

The comedian, born Joan Alexandra Molinsky, died on Sept. 4 following complications during a vocal cord procedure at a Manhattan clinic. She was 81.

Joan Rivers, 1933-2014:

The comedian, born Joan Alexandra Molinsky, died on Sept. 4 following complications during a vocal cord procedure at a Manhattan clinic. She was 81.

Photo: Harry Langdon, Getty Images

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Richard Attenborough, 1923-2014:

The British actor and Oscar-winning director whose film career on both sides of the camera spanned 60 years, died on Aug. 24. He was 90.

Richard Attenborough, 1923-2014:

The British actor and Oscar-winning director whose film career on both sides of the camera spanned 60 years, died on Aug. 24. He was 90.

Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis, AP

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Lauren Bacall, 1929-2014:

The award-winning actress best known as a leading lady in Humphrey Bogart films (and went on to marry the actor) died from a stroke on Aug. 12. She was 89.

Lauren Bacall, 1929-2014:

The award-winning actress best known as a leading lady in Humphrey Bogart films (and went on to marry the actor) died from a stroke on Aug. 12. She was 89.

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Robin Williams, 1951-2014:

The actor, whose free-form comedy and adept impressions dazzled audiences for decades died of suicide on Aug. 11. He was 63.

Robin Williams, 1951-2014:

The actor, whose free-form comedy and adept impressions dazzled audiences for decades died of suicide on Aug. 11. He was 63.

Photo: Reed Saxon

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James Brady, 1940-2014:

The affable, witty press secretary who survived a devastating head wound in the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan and undertook a personal crusade for gun control died Aug. 4. He was 73.

The actor, who was best known as the wisecracking star of TV's "Maverick," went on to a long career on both small and big screen. He died July 19 at age 86.

James Garner, 1928-2014:

The actor, who was best known as the wisecracking star of TV's "Maverick," went on to a long career on both small and big screen. He died July 19 at age 86.

Photo: Wyatt Counts, STR

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Elaine Stritch, 1925-2014:

The brash theater performer whose gravelly, gin-laced voice and impeccable comic timing made her a theatrical icon died on July 17. She was 89.

Elaine Stritch, 1925-2014:

The brash theater performer whose gravelly, gin-laced voice and impeccable comic timing made her a theatrical icon died on July 17. She was 89.

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Eduard Shevardnadze, 1928-2014:

The foreign minister who helped Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev open their country before the fall of communism in 1991 died at age 86 on July 7.

Eduard Shevardnadze, 1928-2014:

The foreign minister who helped Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev open their country before the fall of communism in 1991 died at age 86 on July 7.

Photo: Daro Sulakauri, Bloomberg

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Louis Zamperini, 1917-2014:

The Olympic distance runner and World War II veteran survived 47 days on a raft in the Pacific after his bomber crashed, then endured two years in Japanese prison camps. He is the subject of Laura Hillenbrand's best-selling book "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption," which was made into a movie directed by Angelina Jolie. He died July 2 at age 97.

The notable American poet, a Renaissance woman and cultural pioneer at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, died May 28 at the age of 86. She had been a professor at Wake Forest University since 1982.

The beloved crooner known for his high-tenor voice and romantic songs in the 1950s and early 1960s died on May 18. He was 83.

Jerry Vale, 1930-2014:

The beloved crooner known for his high-tenor voice and romantic songs in the 1950s and early 1960s died on May 18. He was 83.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter, 1937-2014:

The boxer's wrongful murder conviction became an international symbol of racial injustice. He spent 19 years in prison for three murders at a tavern in Paterson,
New Jersey, in 1966, and was freed in 1985 when his convictions were set aside after years of
appeals and public advocacy. His ordeal and the alleged racial
motivations behind it were publicized in Bob Dylan's 1975 song
"Hurricane," several books and a 1999 film starring Denzel Washington. Carter died on April 20 after battling prostate cancer at age 76.

The lead singer of the heavy metal band GWAR was found dead in his home on March 23 at age 50.

Dave Brockie, 1963-2014:

The lead singer of the heavy metal band GWAR was found dead in his home on March 23 at age 50.

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James Rebhorn, 1948-2014:

The character actor who played in "Homeland" and "Independence Day" passed away at his home in New Jersey on March 21. He was 65 years old.

James Rebhorn, 1948-2014:

The character actor who played in "Homeland" and "Independence Day" passed away at his home in New Jersey on March 21. He was 65 years old.

Photo: Peter Kramer, FRE

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L'Wren Scott, 1964-2014:

The fashion designer/Mick Jagger's longtime girlfriend was found hanging from a door knob in an apparent suicide on March 17. She was 49 years old.

L'Wren Scott, 1964-2014:

The fashion designer/Mick Jagger's longtime girlfriend was found hanging from a door knob in an apparent suicide on March 17. She was 49 years old.

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Sid Caesar, 1922-2014:

The American actor who was a fixture of the big and small screens throughout the '50s and '60s died on Feb 12 at age 91.

Sid Caesar, 1922-2014:

The American actor who was a fixture of the big and small screens throughout the '50s and '60s died on Feb 12 at age 91.

Photo: NBC, NBCU Photo Bank Via Getty Images

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Shirley Temple Black, 1928-2014:

The child star turned diplomat died on Feb. 10 at age 85.

Shirley Temple Black, 1928-2014:

The child star turned diplomat died on Feb. 10 at age 85.

Photo: Globe Photos, MBR

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Ralph Kiner, 1922-2014:

Former major league ball player and Mets announcer Ralph Kiner died on Feb. 6 at age 91.

Ralph Kiner, 1922-2014:

Former major league ball player and Mets announcer Ralph Kiner died on Feb. 6 at age 91.

Photo: Contributed Photo, Pittsburgh Pirates/Contributed Photo

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Philip Seymour Hoffman, 1967-2014:

The American actor died on Feb. 2 from a drug overdose. He was 46.

Philip Seymour Hoffman, 1967-2014:

The American actor died on Feb. 2 from a drug overdose. He was 46.

Photo: Victoria Will, VICTORIA WILL/INVISION/AP

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Pete Seeger, 1919-2014:

The folk musician and activist died on Jan. 27 at age 94.

Pete Seeger, 1919-2014:

The folk musician and activist died on Jan. 27 at age 94.

Photo: Sam Falk, New York Times

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Ariel Sharon, 1928-2014:

The former Israeli prime minister died on Jan. 11 at age 85.

Ariel Sharon, 1928-2014:

The former Israeli prime minister died on Jan. 11 at age 85.

Photo: RINA CASTELNUOVO, STR

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Jerry Coleman, 1924-2014:

The Hall of Fame radio broadcaster of the San Diego Padres, who grew up in San Francisco, died on Jan. 5 at age 89.

Jerry Coleman, 1924-2014:

The Hall of Fame radio broadcaster of the San Diego Padres, who grew up in San Francisco, died on Jan. 5 at age 89.

Photo: Andy Hayt, Getty Images

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'Good, Bad, Ugly' actor Eli Wallach dies

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Honorary Oscar winner Eli Wallach, one of the stars of The Magnificent Seven, who was not among the "Seven," but played another major role in the 1960 movie as a Mexican bandit leader, has died. He was 98.

The award-winning actor never received an Oscar nomination for one of his roles, despite a long and varied career. But in 2010, the Academy decided to reward him with an honorary gong for "effortlessly inhabiting a wide range of characters, while putting his inimitable stamp on every role."

He became the oldest-ever Oscar recipient.

Born in 1915 in Brooklyn, N.Y., Wallach headed west in the 1930s to the University of Texas because it was the least expensive college he could find, he had said. It was the middle of the Depression.

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Wallach joked that one of his professors also would call on him, not because he was smart, but because the professor wanted to hear him speak in his Brooklyn accent.

Described as a "quintessential chameleon" while receiving his honorary Oscar, Wallach is perhaps best remembered for his role as vicious Tuco (the Ugly) in the classic spaghetti-western The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, alongside Clint Eastwood.

He also portrayed a Mafia don role in "The Godfather III," commenting that if he were such a good friend of the central characters, the Corleone family, why wasn't he in the first and second Oscar-winning pictures?

Wallach is survived by his wife of 66 years, the actress and his frequent co-star Anne Jackson. The couple have three children, Katherine, Peter and Roberta.